Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-04-07
A LADY'S CUNNING.


Nivernois, France, the family of La
Bricnne had resided for many genera
tons After the revolution they were
greatly reduced, but lived in the old
chateau, positively refusing to cast off
their pride and engage in any occupa-
ton that might yield emolument.
Marguerite, one of the daughters,
alienated her family from ler forever
by marrying a clerk in a mercantile
house, and her name was never men
toned by any member Of the family.
But Marguerite husband rose step by
step until he became partner in his
firm, and then planted himself in Paris
where he rapidly acquired an immense
fortune. In 1865 lie retired from bust
ness, and he and his wife-all their
children having died-went to reside
near Reims. In 1882 Monsieur Ire
voux died, and his widow came into
possession Of all his estate, valued at
many millions of francs
1t must not be supposed that the
brothers and sisters of Mime. Treyoux
had failed to watch with envy and re-
greet the growing wealth of their rela-
tiYe-With envy, because it was an in.
gredient in their nature, and with re-
greet, because they had cast her off and
her prosperity would never benefit
them At the time of Nj. Treyoux's
death one brother of Mime. Trevoux
was living Henri-but his three chill
dren and the seven sons and daughters
of two sisters were all occupants of the
chateau, existing in the same way in
which their predecessors had existed.
Charles ST. Oman, son Of the sister,
had studied medicine, but he was not
allowed by his relatives to practice his
profession, and, at the age of thirty,
was passing his life in idleness at De
else.
When M. Trevoux died consulta-
ton was held among the relatives Of
Nine. TrevOux as TO the best course to
pursue, so us to secure for themselves
her wealth at her death. 1t was finally
arranged that Charles ST. Oman should
go to Champagne and see how the land
lay. He was to take every means to
preserve his incognito, and to return
rs soon Us possible with full and ac-
curate account of all things pertaining
to the widow, who was now verging on
eighty and in the ordinary course Of
nature could not last long.
When Charles reached Reims he
learned that She was avaricious and
grasping and that her only desire was
to hoard money and live as long as
possible. She lived in good style, but
kept no company, and was seldom Wis
tied by any one except her lawyer
Her property, so far as could be ascer-
tanned, was chiefly in rents and stocks,
though the estate on which she lived
was worth probably quarter Of mil
lion of francs.
When Charles returned home he re-
ported that his aunt was likely to live
for twenty years longer, that she had
adopted girl to whom all her proper
ty would descend, and that there was
no chance of the LIE Brienne family
profting in any way by her demise
Shortly after this he made known his
resolution of going TO Paris and en-
deayoring to secure 4 position on an
investigation commission which was
going to explore certain parts of Afri-
ca.
He did not 90 to Paris, but he went
to Reims instead. Here he began to
practice his profession rs physician.
He called on Monsieur Jugon, Nine.
Trevoux's lawyer, and consulted him
as to a small property belonging to
Nine: Trevoux which he thought of
buying, and in which, of course, the
lawyer was interested. He spoke 10
the lawyer as though he had a large
sum of money at his command
II shall stay here if there is any
likelihood of my succeeding" he said,
''and if | resolve to stay will buy this
property"
Now, the lawyer had asked three
times as much for the house and land
as they were worth, and Charles st.
Oman well knew it; but he was playing
a bold game, and the lawyers good
offices were necessary to his success.
IF I could secure three or four
wealthy patients, = said Charles, THAT
would go a very great way toward
insuring to me prosperity
The lawyer acquiesced in this senti-
ment, and it didn't surprise Charles
when. in the course of a week, he was
summoned to prescribe for Nine. Ire
voux. This was what he was aiming
at all along. He was very successful
in building up the old lady, who was
in utter ignorance of his relationship
to herself.
Madame. said he, you have a
splendid constitution, and if you fol-
low good medical advice you may live
for many, many years. have no hes
itation in saying that can insure you
zfwensE more gS5srs Of life for q Certaiu1